5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – January 2019
Happy New Year! What are you looking forward to in 2019? What was a highlight of your December 2018?
1 Second Everyday
[If you can’t see the 1 Second Everyday video, click here]
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5 Things Around the Web
• A Simple Message on One Man’s Door Is Inspiring Thousands
By Tracy Kornet
We’ve listened to Patrick Mead’s sermons for years. He’s a one-of-a-kind minister. Now that his father has Alzheimer’s, we’re also following that journey. Last month Patrick had to place his dad in a care facility. I love what he wrote for his dad’s door because “he’s not just the new guy in Room 14.”
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• How Often Did You Use Cash Last Week?
By William Thornton
I rarely use cash. But I always want to have some on hand. When’s the last time you used cash? More Americans are going a week without using cash.
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• Here’s How America Uses Its Land
By Dave Merrill and Lauren Leatherby
I love great graphics. These maps of the United States show lots of different and easy-to-visualize statistics about how we use our land.
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• The 1 Question to Ask Yourself This New Year
By Nicole Leatherman
It’s only three letters, but it’s a big question, especially as you set intentions and goals for 2019.
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• Package Deliveries
If you spent any of December awaiting package deliveries, you’ll relate to this, too.
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5 Things with Books and Words
• All the Words You Couldn’t Pronounce in 2018
By Christina Maxouris
I either mispronounced many of these myself, or avoided them altogether because I knew I wouldn’t say them right.
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• The Bigger, Badder 2019 Book Tracking Spreadsheet
By Rachel Manwill
Do you keep track of the books you read each year? I use GoodReads to keep track during the year, then download it into an excel spreadsheet at year-end so I can rank them. The method here seems pretty intense, but also quite useful.
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• 12 Books That Every Leader Should Read: Updated for 2018
By Bob Sutton
Two of these are my favorites: Made to Stick and Quiet. Do you see any you want to read? Maybe this year I’ll tackle Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
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I love short podcasts. This one is about 5 minutes or less every day. It typically highlights one aspect of technology per episode: what’s the best way to save digital photos; how to cut the cord; video streaming options; etc.
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• Top 10 Books I Recommend from 2018
Here are my favorite 10 books from 2018, from a variety of genres: biography, memoir, politics, psychology, and religion & spirituality. I recommend them to you, too.
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5 Things I Love
• God Connects
Our dear friends Adam and Amber are moving to Greece next week. They’ll be serving Syrian refugees. When Adam went to buy new tennis shoes for the trip, he met Chris working there. They connected. A few days later—moving day—Chris showed up all day to help Adam. God connections are strong ones.
Tony, Chris, Adam, Jeff
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• Puzzle Mania
I don’t understand it. I become totally absorbed working jigsaw puzzles. It’s been a few years since I allowed myself the luxury. But this year I’ve indulged my craving during the Christmas break. And loving every second of it.
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• Through a Child’s Eyes
We loved, loved, loved celebrating our granddaughter’s first Christmas together. And this month? She’ll turn 1. Already!
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• Family Photos
We had a beautiful day for our whole family to get a photo together this year. I treasure these moments.
And it’s our yearly tradition to get a siblings picture with my brother and two sisters. I’m glad this year was no exception.
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• Christmas with the Church
More traditions are to attend Christmas services with our youngest daughter Jenna and her in-laws (love them!); to help give away gifts to moms at Manna House; to celebrate with our own church.
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5 Things on the Blog
• 2-Year Bible Reading Plan {Updated}
Instead of 1 year, take 2 years to read the Bible. Get the plan here.
• 8 Lessons to Learn from 2018
What did you learn from 2018? Here are 8 life lessons you can apply in 2019.
• When Giving Takes the Fun out of Christmas
Are you looking for that perfect gift? Is it taking away your joy, your Jesus, this Christmas? Try these 3 things instead.
• When the Bad Thing Does NOT Happen
She heard the shots. And saw the shooter. When something bad happens, it gets our attention. But when it doesn’t? Do we notice?
• Keep Out? Not Always
The writing on the wall said keep out. But there was more to the story. Isn’t there always?
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What was a highlight from your December? What are you looking forward to in January? Please share in the comments.
Lisa, such a fun post! It was our granddaughter’s first Christmas as well – she is 4 mos. It’s amazing to watch them see things for the very first time and take it all in. I am surely coming back to this post later in the afternoon to explore some of these links. May you and your family have a blessed 2019!
I loved your potpourri of things you love in this post, Lisa! Your granddaughter is adorable. I also love puzzles and short podcasts. I hope you have a wonderful and grace-filled 2019.
Thanks for the potpourri Lisa. I especially resonated with the puzzle one. I love doing 1000 piece puzzles. I got two for Christmas: Polar Express and a panoramic of PNC Park (Pirates baseball). I lose myself and some sleep in them. Have a great 2019!
Right off the top, I LOVED your halo!
And your 1 Second Everyday video captured the music, the laughter, the grace, the faith that defines up your family. Always such a joy to get a peek at your life, friend.
And happy happy birthday to your favorite little granddaughter! I can not believe that she is one already.
;-}
Your recap posts always inspire me, and this was a beauty!
Still chuckling over that package delivery image. So true. (and so scary!)
Wow, your granddaughter is almost a year already! Chuckling at the package deliveries – all too true. I do a couple of jigsaw puzzle apps on my iPad mini, but I have never gotten into them on person. You’ve had a full and wonderful 2018: may 2019 be just as good or better!
Oh – and I loved what that man wrote on his father’s door at the nursing home.
My mom and sister have always loved to work jigsaw puzzles and my Buddy Man (he’s 4) has seemed to acquire the gene. It kind of skipped me. I cracked up with the package pic/gif. Glad the Hubby works for UPS.
Thank you for sharing the adorable pictures of your granddaughter with us. What a cutie! I almost never use cash, so I was drawn to that part of the post. I like to rack up those credit card points to get free airline tickets to Colorado to visit my grandson! 🙂
Aww, love the family photos! What a beautiful bunch!
Great book recommendations. Very different from the ones I’ve seen going around lately. 🙂
I also love a good puzzle on cold, lazy days!
Happy New Year to you and yours! <3
Lovely family and church photos! We (wife & I) used to love doing jigsaws – very nice way to spend quiet time together. Highlight of December was Christmas with mother-in-law – mid-90s & fresh out of hospital. Hard work but she is a role model for how to be old. Happy New Year!
Wow, what a blog of treasure! Your joy is present is all you do – I love it! Thank you for sharing all these treasures. I love puzzles, reading, church, and family too. Blessings to you and yours!
That package delivery meme gets me every time. It’s just way too accurate. #Creepy
Loved your family photos!
Lisa,
What a variety of things you have shared and I loved all your photos. It was our grandson’s 1st Christmas too, such fun! Thanks for all you have shared.
Entertaining and inspirational. Always love this post and the photos are super too. Thanks for always sharing your life and your finds!
Awesome one second, granddaughter dominated, video!!!
I can’t believe she’s one…
They got the UPS and FedEx mixed up!
So happy for you and yours. The best gifts in life you’re living now. God is good.
Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
Lisa, love the links and family pictures. Happy New Year!